Kpop Portal

Benchsetter Fun Meet with Lee Min Ho

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:13:00 +0000

Lee Min Ho

Just got the best surprise today, a dear friend and "luckiest" Kpop afficionado Miamour A just handed me her exclusive pass for this Friday's Benchsetter Fun Meet with KPop Prince Lee Min Ho at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Many thanks! Miamour won't be able to join since she'll be on "official travel" until Friday. I'll keep you posted on that day.

Super Junior's 'A-CHA'

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:31:00 +0000

Asia superstars Super Junior, after scoring their latest hit with the electronic dance-hall stomper "Mr. Simple," has released its new single "A-CHA," and carrier of their third repackaged album with four hot new tracks. The new release includes "Oops!," a track featuring SM Entertainment label mates f(x), "Andante," a ballad co-written by Leeteuk with Super Junior-M member Henry Lau, and "A Day."

It will be recalled that they also released a second repackage of their album “Mr. Simple” with an additional song “Superman” last August. “A-Cha” is the third repackage version of SuJu’s successful album. For Heechul's fans who miss him, he his still featured in the music video for "A-CHA". While for the fans of Shindong, note that he looks slimmer (again) in this one. This also speaks for other members Leeteuk, Donghae, Yesung, Kyuhyun, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Sungmin, and Ryeowook who all look much buffer now.

The album 'Mr. Simple' will be released in the Philippines on October 1 by Universal Records.

Swatch x Kidrobot Invasion

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Swatch teams up with art-driven toy and lifestyle brand, Kidrobot, to create a collection of eight new Swatch Gents, each accompanied by a complimentary Dunny.

Dunny is Kidrobot’s iconic and highly collectible bunny-like vinyl toy that serves as a customizable canvas for artists.

Eight artists have contributed to the new collection, each with a characteristic design for a Gent and its accompanying 3-inch Dunny.

These are: Spanish-born artist Frank Kozik, who made his name by creating full silk-screened posters for various legendary rock bands of the ‘90s.

Kozik rose to the challenge of collaborating with Swatch by creating a bright yellow Swatch-Ski Instructor, which shows a mustachio’d white Dunny with hard, black eyes. The Dunny comes in both a 3-inch and a 20-inch version.

Dividing his time between New York and Bondi Beach, Jeremyville is an artist, product designer and author of international repute.

In addition to writing Vinyl Will Kill in 2003 (the world’s first book on designer toys), he has exhibited in the US, France, Beijing and Italy.

Jeremyville’s design for Swatch features a character named Ibbity Pop, also featured in his forthcoming book, The So Far Away.

He explains: “The story is about a lost pet being in a different part of the world, and a different time zone. So a watch is a perfect product to release, relating to the time differences in the story.”

Jeremyville’s Swatch is appropriately called “Swatch-The So Far Away.”

With over 13 years experience as an illustrator and toy designer, Kansas-based Mad boasts an impressive résumé filled with collaborative projects for global brands as well as promotions, packaging and character designs.

Always busy, he constantly develops unique toys, T-shirts and art.

“With all the craziness being thrown at us in the world, sometimes words aren’t enough,” explains Mad, about his new designs for Swatch.

“Sometimes you just need to scream. This design pulls elements from my various illustration artwork and transforms it into an all over pattern that we can all relate to at times.”

“Swatch-Shout Out” reacts in a wordless but expressive protest to the craziness of the world around us.

Born in Toulouse, France, Tilt has been a self-confessed “graffiti fetishist” since his teens, daubing his debut tag on a skateboard ramp, before subsequently making his mark on local trains and streets.

Now based in New York, his paintings derive influence from his extensive travels, and routinely feature “bubbly” curvaceous forms inspired by his love of beautiful women.

Tilt’s design for Swatch “illustrates the lyrics of a famous French rock band from the ‘80s called Telephone — the story of a man who wants to go to NYC with the girl he loves.”

Tilt’s work for Swatch is called “Swatch-Love Song.”

“Taking one of the coolest characters from my Gamma Mutant Space Friends, Carina the 3-Eyed Space Kitty, and putting her on the watch was a perfect fit to me,” said New York-based artist Tara McPherson.

Famed for her internationally exhibited work, which continuously explores people and their quirky ways, the characters she paints exude stylized innocence combined with steely wisdom.

McPherson is a successful illustrator and poster artist, whose highly collectable gig posters have further ensured her cool credentials.

Her creation, called “Swatch-The Eyes are Watching,” presents a pensive and observant space kitty.

Russian-born artist and designer SSUR© (real name Ruslan Karablin) is also based in New York, where his work has been well received since the late 1980s.

He cites “responsibility, respect, tolerance, justice and peace” as his recurring creative themes. He drew further topical inspiration from “politics and protest, current events and camouflage patterns” when realizing his concept for Swatch.

All of these elements find expression in his evocative “Swatch-Tic Tic Boom.”

Fashion, toys, magazines and TV have long-been rich sources of inspiration for pop culture-obsessed artist Gary Baseman.

Both his raw-yet-playful illustrations for Cranium and the Emmy-winning Teacher’s Pet have unleashed this L.A-based talent’s otherworldly and humorous aesthetic into the public consciousness.

For Swatch, Baseman cites his self-created character of The Midnight Magi as a catalyst: “The Midnight Magi is always in the shadows, restraining your darkest nightmares from destroying your sweetest dreams.”

Baseman’s Swatch is called “Swatch-Midnight Magi.”

“Taking an iconic Swatch Watch and turning it into a lovable character was a challenge and a great thrill,” says L.A. artist Joe Ledbetter.

Having worked as a graphic apparel artist, Ledbetter began honing his distinctively mischievous and upbeat painting style in 2003.

Influences typically include classic animation, graphics, trips to the zoo, nature documentaries, and his two cheeky pet cats.

He has exhibited his work extensively in prestigious galleries around the globe. His “Swatch-Bengali” is characteristically light-hearted.

Watch for the launch of the new Kidrobot x Swatch collection this Sept. 17 at the Ronac Art Center. After which, the collection will be available at Swatch stores.

Park Min Young & Lee Min Ho a couple?

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 02:05:00 +0000

Add caption

Park Min Young, Lee Min Ho's love interest in SBS popular action-romance drama "City Hunter" are rumored to have a special interest for more than a month now.

The actor's agency told local media Dispatch, "They started to have good feelings toward each other through ‘City Hunter.’ It seems like they’re at a stage of getting to know each other right now, but I’m not sure how much those feelings developed so far."

While Park Min Young’s agency also confirmed that, "It is true the two have good, mutual feelings for each other. I think she’s trying to get to know the human-side of Lee Min Ho, not the actor Lee Min Ho. But you always have to be careful with these relationships, and the agency doesn’t know everything about the celebrity’s private life."

Someone close to the couple also quoted saying: "Lee Min Ho and Park Min Young tried to avoid making their relationship public. So they tried to be careful whenever they met. But their personalities wouldn’t allow for a secret date at home. When they met at a public space, like a restaurant or bar, they would always bring a mutual friend."

We we here at KPop portal believes that there is really going on... love love love!

Kim Hyun Joong to visit Philippines in August

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:44:00 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - Popular Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong will visit the Philippines in August.

According to a post on PolyEast Records' Facebook page, Kim will be in the country on Aug. 25 in time for the “Hi-Five Touch” Philippine
Promo Tour.

The event is part of Kim's promotional tour for his album “Break Down.”

Rumors of the event swirled prior to PolyEast confirming the matter via its official Facebook account.

Released last June 8 in South Korea, “Break Down,” is Kim's first solo album. It contains six tracks including “Intro (Let Me Go),” the title track, “Please,” “Kiss Kiss,” “Yes I Will” and “Please (Instrumental).”

The album proved to be a hit, selling 100,433 copies in South Korea. It ranked fourth in the country's Top 100 bestselling albums for the first half of the year.

In the Philippines, “Break Down” debuted at No. 1 on the Astrochart’s overall ranking for June 27 to July 3, edging out releases from Selena Gomez, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Sarah Geronimo, and Jennifer Lopez.

In June last year, Kim visited the Philippines for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum with BEAST.

Credits to Jonathan Hicap of MBulletin

GD&TOP drops "Playboy" logo

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 12:44:00 +0000

Big Bang's G. Dragon and T.O.P. released last December 2010 a mini album as a duo entitled "GD&TOP". One of the album's attraction was its provocative and eye-catching cover which featured what seems to be an image of the iconic Playboy logo.

Old Logo

Fast forward June 29, 2011, YG Entertainment officially released a notice on their website stating that: "GD&TOP's logo, as expressed in numerous interviews, was a design combining the rabbit to recognize the year of the rabbit and the V-sign to signify victory. The logo was based from the Playboy Enterprises International Inc.'s rabbit logo. However, our company did not receive permission from Playboy who has the trademark rights for the rabbit logo." YG Entertainment continued on to express that in order to avoid confusion, they have decided to stop using the "GD&TOP" rabbit logo and have suspended sale of the album featuring the rabbit logo. Still, they promised fans that the album will be made available to them using a new logo in the shape of a heart. The revised release, which will be out this July and will contain the same songs.

Well. this issue will definitely make the first copy highly collectible and will also make the new one even sell better! This will also make YG Entertainment executives very happy (including their pockets!).

Kim Hyun Joong's "Break Down" album launch

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:49:00 +0000

PolyEast Records in cooperation with KeyEast Entertainment and CJ E&M Korea released SS501 member Kim Hyun Joong's first solo mini-album entitled “Break Down,”. The album boasts of six songs, with one instrumental version of the title track.

The title track “Break Down” is a powerful synthesized song with an urban style, which features the stylish rapping of South Korea’s Double K; and Ken Lewis, as the single’s producer. Ken Lewis is the producer of Eminem, Kanye West, Usher and John Legend. The music video for "Break Down" was simultaneously released with the single’s digital release.

Marking his comeback to the music scene, the album also boasts the previously released single “Please” in which Kim Hyun Joong portrayed a different and mature image in his music video. Other album highlights include “Intro (Let Me Go)”where Kim Hyun Joong opens with a magnificent pipe organ melody. Also in the album is the song “Kiss Kiss”another pop/ dance song but accompanied with an acoustic guitar and dance-y beat “Yes I Will”

Aside from the Philippines, “Break Down” will also be released in South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hongkong, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

The launch was held at Astrovision/Astroplus SM North Edsa The Block and Odyssey Music & Video at SM Megamall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a Flash Mob. Early buyers were entitled to get freebies like a movie size poster and limited personalized BREAK DOWN eco bag.

The album will also be available in SM Music Box Record Bars and The Landmark Department Stores Record Bars.

Miley in Town for One Night Manila Gig

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:55:00 +0000

Popular teen star Miley Cyrus arrived in Manila Wednesday night for a one night concert for her Filipino fans at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds on June 17.
This morning, she appeared in popular noontime show Eat Bulaga to promote and thank her legion of fans who came just to see her today.

Famous for her role in the Disney Channel's Hannah Montana TV series, says "she is looking forward to doing photo shoots in the country."

The concert will be held at SM Mall Of Asia Concert Grounds on June 17, this Saturday. In case you don't know, Manila will be Miley's only Asian destination so we expect fans from all over the region will surely be watching.

To do the front act are two popular teen cuties Elmo Magalona and Sam Concepcion who will surely make the concert more exciting.

Duran Duran do 'Freedom'-inspired Supermodel Video

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:50:00 +0000

According to several reports, the famous British band Duran Duran has been busy shooting the music video to upcoming single "Girl Panic," starring 'original supermodels' Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova, and Helena Christensen as well as singer Simon Le Bon's wife Yasmin.

The casting for the clip -- directed by Jonas Ackerlund, who was also behind Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi," for instance -- is reminiscent of George Michael's iconic "Freedom" video from the 1990s that featured Campbell, Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz.

Shot in London, the new video depicts the models as a girl group, fashion blog Fashionologie reports, and also features designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana who posted pictures from the shoot, which also yielded a fashion series and cover for British Harper's Bazaar, on his Tumblr.

Kpop Portal

Ballet Flats U Can Twist

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:33:00 +0000

Butterfly Twists those innovative flats from the United Kingdom which fold away to fit into drawers, handbags evening purses are the new must-have for modern, fashionable women.
The patented and stylish reinvention of the classic ballet flats has become these women’s fashionable and instant solution to sore feet, be they at work, traveling, out shopping, or dancing the night away.

With the success of the classic Satin Twists in the local market, Butterfly Twists Philippines partner, Trina Franco-Molina, Dixie Lyn Chua-Tan, and Tessa Mauricio-Arriola introduce two new collections from London: the Faux Leather Twists and the Python Twists. Both come in a variety of colors.

The satin and leather collections are now available at SM Department Store’s Fashion Forum (Makati, Mall of Asia and Mega Mall); Chocolate Clothing Company (TriNoMa and Robinsons Galleria); CMG boutiques (Glorietta 4, SM Mall of Asia, Shangri-La Mall, Mega Mall, TriNoma, SM The Block, Robinsons Ermita, and Shoppesville Greenhills); The Flat Shop, Connecticut Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center; and Aranaz Boutiques. The Python collection will be available by June 15.

credits from the Philippine Star

Kpop Portal

Lacoste's New Bite

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:29:00 +0000

“The Crocodile” was the nickname that René Lacoste earned thanks to the tenacity he demonstrated during his matches. Robert George, a stylist friend, designed him a crocodile for fun and the champion liked the sketch immediately. He had him embroider it on the white blazer that he wore on the courts. Now an instantly recognizable logo worldwide, the crocodile represents the elegance, quality and authenticity of Lacoste products.

Now comes Robert George, the leather goods Lacoste line inspired by that crocodile. By playing around with the reptile’s design, it was transformed into a unique camouflage print. The Robert George line includes shopping bags, crossover bags, cases and pouches.

Lacoste is exclusively distributed in the Philippines, by Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 3, Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Tower, The Power Plant Mall, Megamall, The Podium, Mall of Asia, Gateway, Trinoma, Eastwood Mall, Newport Mall, Robinsons Galleria, Robinson’s Place Manila, Alabang Town Center - Corte de las Palmas, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Davao and Abreeza Davao City.

credits from the Philippine Star

Kpop Portal

Kim Hyun Joong's “Break Down” on Music Core

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 12:20:00 +0000

Debuting as the leader of SS501 and moving on as an actor (with the now popular Playful Kiss), Kim Hyun Joong is now ready to embark on a new career as a solo singer.

Released earlier this week is his solo mini-album “Break Down”, Hyun Joong becomes the fourth SS501 member to have a solo album.

His title track, “Break Down“, composed by Steven Lee is classified as a ’south urban dance track’ combining powerful electric brass and synth sounds to create an energetic track right from its beginning phases and is backed with dynamic choreography.

By the way, playing now in the Philippines is Playful Kiss over GMA7 is enjoying high ratings. Also heard is Playful Kiss 2 where they are now grown-ups and facing new challenges.

Kpop Portal

David Archuleta Live in Manila!

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:58:00 +0000

After the success of the two David's back-to-back concert, Ovation Productions is bringing back - David Archuleta live in Manila! he will be in the country to promote the event a day before the concert and I'm sure he will be on a popular TV show just like before.

David Archuleta live in Manila! on 18 July 2011, show starts at 8pm at the Araneta Coliseum. For more info please call 9115555. Ticket prices will be out this week!

Kpop Portal

Rain among Time's 100 most influential

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Much has been said about KPop superstar Rain being listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people. Campaigners made a strong showing among the 17 Asians on the global list, which the magazine said was themed around social media and activism.

Rain topped a separate reader poll , as Time's online readers cast aside moguls and heads of state for the third year running in favor of the heartthrob and singer of "Hip Song".

"That's pretty impressive online power for a guy whose main claim to Western fame is a role in the 2009 film Ninja Assassin," the magazine commented.

Others who made it to the list are detained Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, the activist mayor of a tsunami-hit Japanese town, Charles Chao, founder of the web giant Sina-Weibo, journalist Hu Shuli, who started Caijing magazine, and media personality Hung Huang.

Punk for Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:07:00 +0000

If you think that punk is dead, think again as Balmain sets the tone for Spring Summer 2011 a trend that last emerged in 2010 and one that will continue to influence the fashion aesthetic of 2011 and most probably beyond.

Punk has it's ability to stay even after other trend has emerged and makes it worth watching .

We see a lot of Hollywood celebrities and Kpop superstars donning punk inspired outfits.

Lee Min Ho is the "City Hunter"

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:28:00 +0000

After catching the fancy of fans in "Boys Over Flower’s" Lee Min Ho is preparing to swim in your hearts as he prepares for his upcoming action drama “City Hunter”. The actor was reportedly seen taking swimming lessons daily in a hotel in Kangnam.

Lee Min Ho gained a strong fan following for his ability to play romantic leads that fascinate women and fans of all gender. His "BOF" role won him many hearts which only increased after he played the role of proud architect Jeon Jin Ho in "Personal Taste". In his latest project, Lee Min Ho gets to present his more masculine side as he plays the role of Dr. Lee Yoon Sung, an MIT graduate and international communications expert at the Blue House who works with a female bodyguard. Popular actress Park Min Young has been tapped for the role of the sexy bodyguard Kim Nana.

He is also been training in martial arts and other action routines for this new drama. City Hunter is set to premier on May 25 via the SBS channel.

Taeyang is now online

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:42:00 +0000

Big Bang is finally united, even on the social network, me2day. Big Bang's Taeyang joined all the other members by launching a me2day account.

Taeyang is the last of Big Bang to enter the social network.

With launching his me2day not only the Big Bang members got together on the network but the whole YG Family. Every member of Big Bang and 2NE1, Se7en, Gummy, Psy etc. now have me2day accounts.

Jae-beom apologizes to JYP

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:23:00 +0000

Jae-beom, the former leader of boyband 2PM, on Thursday offered his first apology to entertainment agency JYP head Park Jin-young since their relationship turned sour over the singer's departure from the group.

Jae-beom posted a letter on a Daum online community board to his fans, looking back on his departure from the band. His statement says that he's sorry for causing trouble to members of 2PM due to his departure from the group. He also said it was regrettable that he disappointed entertainment producer JYP. At least he has the balls to apologize for the hurt he has done to his former group. Well, fans are so forgiving anyway.

Kim Hyun Joong joins All Star Soccer Team

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:47:00 +0000

Celebrity soccer team called MEN with JYJ stars Junsu, Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun with Junsu as team's captain has a a new recruit K-pop superstar and SS501 member Kim Hyun Joong of “Boys over Flowers” and ”Playful Kiss” fame.

Fans of these idols knows that Kim Hyun Joong and Junsu has been trying to create this soccer team for some time. Their love for the sport has been well publicized and has been part of their personal activities since the start of their flourishing careers. Junsu had formed a soccer team with his former fellow SM artists in 2006 while Kim Hyun Joong squeezed in an El Classico game while working in Spain last year. In fact, Kim Hyun Joong's 2010 DVD and photobook project “Ready, Action!” features a whole segment of him acting like a giddy sports fan and enjoying an energizing soccer game.

The MEN soccer team also includes famous Kpop Idols - Kim Hyun Joong's also of “Boys over Flowers” co-star Kim Bum, who modeled for RC cola in 2009, along with other male stars including Song Joong Ki and Im Joo Hwan. With the support of their fans, this flower boys soccer team will surely generate a lot of attention in case they decide to join the big league. Talk about star power!

2010 Yahoo Asia Buzz Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:24:00 +0000

Korean pop star Kim Hyun-joong won three gongs at the 2010 Yahoo Asia Buzz Awards held Friday in Hong Kong.

Singer and actor Kim received Asia’s Buzz Male Popular Artist award and two trophies for Top Buzz Korean Artist in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The Yahoo Buzz Awards, established in 2004, is an annual event that gives awards to Asian pop stars based on the “buzz,” or number of searches they received on the Internet portal site.

This year’s awards were decided by Internet users from Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia between Nov. 8 and Dec. 1.

Kim has now won back-to back titles at the annual event. In 2009, the 24-year-old star won Asia’s Best Male Star award after gaining wide popularity throughout Asia for his role in the hit television drama series, “Boys Over Flowers.”

This year he gained more fame after joining Keyeast, the agency of “hallyu” star Bae Yong-joon, who himself is a major shareholder.

The SS501 boy band leader recently starred in the KBS drama “Naughty Kiss.” The drama is set to air across Asia next year.

In November, he appeared at the opening ceremony of the Guangzhou Asian Games to sing the Games’ official song. He also took part in a charity event with Bae at the Tokyo Dome last week, attracting more than 4,500 Japanese fans.

Kim is now working on his new album, which is due to be released next year, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, at the Yahoo Awards, actor Jang Geun-suk won titles in Asia’s Buzz Star and Male Buzz Star categories, while actress Moon Geun-young won the Female Buzz Star title. But neither attended Friday’s ceremony.

Jang garnered 7.93 million votes to beat Kim, who received 4.59 million votes, for his titles. Moon received 45,240 votes, while pop group Girls Generation came second with 36,307 votes.

Thanks to

Oh Kyu-wook of Korean Herald

And Story in Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 03:38:00 +0000

Kyunjong and Youngsaeng Fan Meet this coming February 5 is highly anticipated by their Filipino Fans will definitely go on schedule at the PICC Forum 2 and I assure you guys that the venue is really huge and can accommodate all comfortable as I already been at the venue for at least twice last year.

Be there and enjoy!

many thanks to Daily K Pop News for the banner

2010 Ford Supermodel is Filipina

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 02:56:00 +0000

Danica Flores Magpantay is the 2010 Supermodel of the World chosen by the Ford Model Agency in New York City. She is the first Filipina to ever reach the top of this modelling contest after near recent wins by Charlene Almarvez (1st Runner-Up last year), Charo Ronquillo (2nd Runner-Up) and Giselle Paqueo (Top 8). Danica, who is the daughter of model Lala Flores – herself a Supermodel of the World candidate in 1990s – is joined in the Top 3 by the runners-up from Lithuania and Poland. She is the second Asian to win the top prize.

The Philippines first joined the contest in the 80's with former Miss International Melanie Marquez who became a runner-up and a favorite model at her time.

Jay Chou's low Hollywood profile

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:19:00 +0000

Taiwanese pop singer and Asian Superstar Jay Chou, star of the smash hit "The Green Hornet," Hollywood offers a welcome break from the paparazzi in Asia.

"As an artist, I need a lot of space which I cannot really get in many places in Asia," Chou told reporters Monday ahead of the Chinese premiere of the superhero flick, which co-stars Seth Rogen.

"It felt like I was having a vacation in the United States - I took my mother to the production, and it felt really good to have some time for myself. I didn't have that feeling of people surreptitiously taking my picture."

"The Green Hornet" - the tale of a young playboy businessman who becomes a crime fighter - topped the box office in its opening weekend in North America, taking in $34 million, according to industry data.

Chou, largely unknown in the United States but hugely popular in Asia, plays the role of Kato, sidekick to the Green Hornet played by Rogen.

French director Michel Gondry confessed to not knowing how famous Chou was when he started considering him for the part of Kato, adding he and Rogen - who wrote the screenplay - later hesitated about casting a pop star.

"We had a conference on Skype where Seth was reading with Jay and we felt there was already chemistry, even though it was with a 10-second delay, and we liked him for his acting," Gondry said.

Rogen has since declared himself a fan of Chou's music, and he and Gondry joked that the Taiwanese singer would "force" them to listen to some of his tracks.

"Jay many times took us in his car with his bodyguard and forced us to listen to his music very loud, and if we didn't like it, he would beat us up," Gondry joked.

Chou had to learn English for the part, and acknowledged the language barrier would be a challenge for any future work in Hollywood. But Rogen praised his co-star for his quick mastery of the language.

"He knew very little (English) when we started filming and a few weeks in, he could improvise his own dialogue and come up with his own jokes, which was very frustrating because that took me years to learn how to do," he said.

credits to AsiaOne

Big Bang's Blast in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:47:00 +0000

YG Entertainment announced that after nearly two years of absence from the Entertainment scene, Big Bang will be making a big comeback on February 24.

As a gift to their fans, Big Bang will perform their comeback in front of their fans during their "2011 BIG SHOW" concerts slated this coming February 25 through February 27 and they plan to perform their new songs for their series of concerts.

For fans who simply can't wait until February, they have Seungri's solo album to look forward to. Seungri, Big Bang's maknae member, is reportedly dropping his cute image for a "manlier" concept. He is slated to release his album and promote two title tracks including "What Do You Want Me To Do?" and "VVIP" on January 20th.

Singapore Men’s FW 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Kpop Portal) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:03:00 +0000

Here's a photo of models exiting after the Men’s Fashion Week Preview Party at ION Sky.

The Singapore Men’s Fashion Week 2011 is slated to happen this April its the first Asia Pacific fashion event dedicated to men’s fashion, designers, brands and talents.

KPop Portal is very excited to bring the news to you soon.